Fatpacking

Fly into Rapid City Airport (RAP) or drive into Rapid City. The best time to arrive is between Noon-3PM. However, if you can save a substantial amount on your flight by arriving an hour or two later or earlier, then do so.

Take airport shuttle to the Hampton Inn Rapid City, 1720 Rapp Street, Rapid City, South Dakota, 57701, 605-348-1911

Equipment shakedown

Trail mix distribution

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go to Take A Hike, 318 Mount Rushmore Road Rapid City, South Dakota 57701 - (605) 342-0608, Scheels, 1225 Eglin St., Rapid City, SD 57701, 605-342-9033 or Cabela's, 3231 East Mall Drive, Rapid City, SD 57701, (605) 388-5600 for forgotten and last minute equipment purchase

Go out for dinner at a local restaurant (TBD)

Second set of "before" measurements taken

All the items that you won't bring on the trail will be set aside and put in storage.

This is your last opportunity to take a shower for a week.

Breakfast at the hotel

Shuttle to Wind Cave National Park

Take a 1-2 hour cave tour (no caving experience necessary)

Head to the Norbuck Lake on the Centennial Trail and begin hiking, elevation 4250'.

Hike 6.2 miles to Highland Creek

Camp Southwest of bison corrals at Highland Creek, elevation 4300'.

Water source may be dry necessitating us to carry an extra gallon today.

Miles today: 6.2. Total miles: 6.2

Possible bailout: Route 5

Hike 10.3 miles on Centennial Trail to Highland Creek in the French Creek Natural Area.

Camp at French Creek, elevation 4700'.

Miles today: 10.3. Total miles: 16.5

Possible bailout: Route 87, Route 5, Route 4, or Wildlife Loop Road

Hike 4.2 miles to Legion Lake Frontcountry Campground

Camp at Legion Lake, site 1E & 2E, showers, swimming, and water available, elevation 5200'.

Miles today: 4.2. Total miles: 20.7

Possible bailout: Alt 16

Hike 6.3 miles to Iron Creek

Hike over hill past horse camp to the Black Elk Wilderness

Hike 1.0 miles on Centennial Trail to trail #1

Hike 2.0 miles on the Grizzly Bear Creek Trail (trail #1) to unmarked pond on the left

Camp at unmarked pond, elevation 5000'

Miles today: 9.3. Total miles: 30.0

Possible bailout: Route 87, Alt 16

Hike 0.7 miles on Grizzly Bear Creek Trail #1 to the Grizzly trail #7

Hike 3.3 miles on Grizzly Trail #7 to trail #4

Hike 0.4 miles on trail #4 to trail #9, the Lost Cabin Trail

Hike 3.6 miles on Lost Cabin Trail #9, to Sylvan Lake

Hike 0.5 miles to Sylvan Lake Campground, elevation 6000'

Camp at Sylvan Lake Frontcountry Campground, Site 13, running water, showers, laundry, store available

Miles today: 8.5. Total miles: 38.5

Possible bailout: Sylvan Lake

Hike 0.7 miles on the road the the trailhead of trail #4

Hike 0.5 miles to trail #4B

Drop packs and day-hike 1.5 miles round trip to the summit of Little Devil's Tower

Pick up packs and hike 1.5 miles on trail #4 to trail #9

Hike 0.2 miles on Trail #9 to the Harney Peak Trail

Drop packs here

Day-Hike 1.0 miles to the summit of Harney Peak, elevation 7244'

Hike 2.5 miles to trail #5, Willow Creek Rushmore Trail

Hike 0.9 miles on trail #5 to unmarked campsite just inside wilderness boundary making sure to get water along the way. The campsite is dry, but there is water about halfway

Camp at unmarked site inside wilderness boundary, elevation 5250'

Miles today: 8.8. Total miles: 47.3

Possible bailout: Route 87 or 244

Hike 1.0 mile to Centennial Trail

Hike 3.0 miles to Mt. Rushmore

Miles today: 4.0. Total miles: 51.3

Possible bailout: Mt. Rushmore

Shuttle to the Country Inn & Suites, 2321 NORTH LACROSSE STREET, RAPID CITY, SD 57702, 605-394-0017

After measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.

Hotel Breakfast

Take free hotel shuttle to the Airport